2 Samuel 2:1-3:5; 23:8-39; 1 Chronicles 3:1-4a; 11:10-47. “Mighty Men “ Young Billy earned his blue belt in judo.  One day Billy gave the class bully a bloody nose.  When asked which judo technique Billy had used, he replied, “I stuck out my foot and tripped him.”  That’s probably more my style, and it would most definitely NOT earn me a spot with “David’s 30 mighty men.”  The weakest of these gu...  Read More

1 Samuel 30-31; 2 Samuel 1:1-27; 4:4; 1 Chronicles 9:40-44; 10:1-14; 12:20-22. “Painful Experiences” Years have passed since David was anointed king by Samuel.  Those years have been spent running from King Saul, the very one he would succeed.  So, when David gets the news Saul has died, is his response joy, excitement and relief?  No.  Quite the contrary.David mourned Saul’s death.  His sorrow w...  Read More

1 Samuel 26-29; 1 Chronicles 12:1-7,19; Psalm 56.  “Battle Lines” The Philistines, David, and Saul, had all geared up for war.  David was fighting guerrilla warfare style with the brutal tribes of Geshurites, Girzites and Amalekites.  The Philistines entered battle fiercely with enormous numbers (28:5).  Saul seemed uncertain and consulted a medium from Endor to offer consultation concerning the w...  Read More

1 Samuel 23:13-25:44; Psalm 54.  “Providential Conclusions” The passage today describes three unfortunate encounters that had providential conclusions.  In the first situation the men of Ziph turned David and his men’s location over to Saul, yet God providentially sent Saul on another urgent task, which provided the opportunity for David and his men to escape.In the second incident, Saul and an ar...  Read More

1 Samuel 22:1-23:12; 1 Chronicles 12:8-18; Psalm 52, 57, 142. “Rough Start” The passages this week deal with David’s introduction as king.  Although David had been anointed by Samuel sometime earlier to be Israel’s next king, he never rushed God’s timing.  From David’s youth he knew God had a plan and purpose for everything.  David respected and protected God’s anointed—King Saul (although some h...  Read More

The passages this week deal with David’s introduction as king.  Although David had been anointed by Samuel sometime earlier to be Israel’s next king, he never rushed God’s timing.  From David’s youth he knew God had a plan and purpose for everything.  David respected and protected God’s anointed—King Saul (although some had hoped he would take the matter into his own hands and rush it).            David led well in spite of some very difficult times.  Knowing God had a plan helped David through the rough times, and it can do the same for us.  Read More

1 Samuel 20-21; Psalm 34. “Promises Kept” Jonathan and David had a special friendship.  Chapter 20 gives us a little insight into how close the two were.  Unlike his father, Jonathan was not jealous for the throne of Israel, but recognized that the Lord was with David.  Thus, as part of their covenant of friendship, Jonathan asked David to continue to show “faithful love” to his descendants even ...  Read More

1 Samuel 17:32-19:24; Psalm 59.  “Crying Out to the Lord” David never did wrong against Saul, but he was constantly the object of Saul’s jealousy.  Saul made multiple attempts to kill David or to have him killed by others.  However, we recognize that David was innocent in all of this and never lost his integrity.  So why the constant attacks?  Why did David have to call out to the Lord for help an...  Read More

1 Samuel 15:1-17:31.  “Blame-Shifting 101” Saul was caught red-handed.  He had again disobeyed the Lord and was confronted by Samuel for his actions.  His response to Samuel’s confrontation was worthy of an Academy Award.  In verses 15 and 21 Saul declares that ‘the people’ are the ones who spared the animals, and then he further justifies the sin by adding the spiritual benefit of sacrificing the...  Read More

1 Samuel 13-14; 1 Chronicles 9:35-39.  “Taking Matters Into Our Own Hands” Can you picture Saul in the situation described in 1 Samuel 13?  He had gathered Israel’s troops to battle the Philistines, but once they got a glimpse of the Philistine army, they were full of fear.  Sensing the fear in his army, Saul becomes anxious and comes to the conclusion that the offerings to the Lord must be offere...  Read More

1 Samuel 9-12.  “Integrity Restored” In 1 Samuel 8:6-9 the Lord reveals to Samuel that Israel was ultimately rejecting God Himself by asking for a king.  In 12:16-19 Samuel reminds the people of their wrongdoing in asking for a king and then uses a sign to reveal to them the level of God’s anger.Certainly, the people did wrong in asking for a king, but Samuel makes it clear that God had not abando...  Read More

1 Samuel 4:12-8:22. “Leadership Requires Integrity” Samuel was a man of God and a good leader for Israel.  However, for all that he did right, he failed in one area.  He did not learn from the mistake of his predecessor, Eli.  1 Samuel 8:1-3 reveals that Samuel’s sons were lacking in integrity, much the same way that Eli’s sons were.  We then see this lack of integrity result in Israel demanding ...  Read More

1 Samuel 1:9-4:11. “A Legacy of Integrity” The theme for this week is integrity.  This week’s readings will cover the last of the judges, Eli and Samuel.  Following those two leaders we will meet the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David.  All four of these men learned the importance of integrity through their experiences.         Integrity is something that we all can struggle with from time...  Read More

The theme for this week is integrity.  This week’s readings will cover the last of the judges, Eli and Samuel.  Following those two leaders we will meet the first two kings of Israel, Saul and David.  All four of these men learned the importance of integrity through their experiences.          Integrity is something that we all can struggle with from time to time.  Integrity is something that can be easily lost, but is not so easy to regain without God’s help.  As the four men we will read about, they learn it is absolutely essential to being a leader in God’s kingdom.  Read More

Ruth 4:13-22; 1 Samuel 1:1-8; 1 Chronicles 2:9-55; 4:1-23.  “Unfamiliar Names”          Professional golfer, Karen Permezel, hails from Yackandandah, Australia.  Finding that name to be a mouthful, writers sometimes ask Permezel where the town in located.  Permezel is happy to be of assistance.  “It’s near Mount Murramurrabong, not far from Tangambalanga,” she replies. (Sports Illustrated)        ...  Read More

Ruth 1:1-4:12.  “Not Overlooked”          The book of Ruth is deeply admired by many for its literary style.  It is a beautiful story of love and devotion.         Ruth is an amazing young woman of tremendous character.  She has displayed kindness and loyalty to Naomi as she leaves behind the security of her own land, the familiarity of her own customs, the simplicity of her own religion, the refu...  Read More

Judges 19-21.  “Think BEFORE It Is Done”          This passage discusses the price one’s sin can have on another, so contemplate what was written on March 24th, where it was pointed out that one’s adulterous sin would affect far more people than just your spouse or close friends or children. You could literally affect the lives of hundreds in the present and future if you sinned in such a manner. ...  Read More

Judges 16-18.  “Finishing Well”          Samson’s life did not seem to start or continue as one characterized by faith.  To the contrary, he seemed to be self-absorbed and only concerned with the present.  Eventually, his choices caught up with him and Samson found himself blind, in chains, pushing the wheel to grind grain in Gaza, the same place he had amazingly carried off the city’s gates.     ...  Read More

Judges 12:8-15:20.  “Potential”          Here is the story of a man known for his astounding strength, yet, in the same breath also known for his weaknesses.  He battled pride and sensuality; he broke his vow and God’s laws; he trusted the wrong people; and did not use his gifts and abilities wisely.  He was not the wisest of men, but God used him to accomplish His purpose.         Samson had a mi...  Read More

Judges 9:22-12:7.  “Submissive Examples”          Throughout the book of Judges we are introduced to often unfamiliar people whom God used to bring peace to Israel.  We will read of twelve men and women referred to as the judges who bring deliverance to God’s people.         It was less that they were gifted, pure, or special, as they were willing to be used by God.  The achievements of those subm...  Read More

Judges 7:1-9:21. “Little Gideon’s Big God” Week Fourteen — April 2nd–8th, Judges 7-21; Ruth 1-4; 1 Samuel 1:1-8; 1 Chronicles 2:9-55; 4:1-23         After reading through these passages, the results of my brainstorming leads to a theme that runs along the lines of; big things with little people, impressive with unimpressive, imposing with unimposing, splendid with simple, or heroic undertakings b...  Read More

After reading through these passages, the results of my brainstorming leads to a theme that runs along the lines of; big things with little people, impressive with unimpressive, imposing with unimposing, splendid with simple, or heroic undertakings by humble people.          These passages address the fact that God can use the most unassuming person to accomplish all He has in mind.  An individual does not need a long list of impressive credentials, terrific looks or great strength, but merely a heart willing to serve and follow God (and of course a person filled with the Spirit of God).  May you be encouraged by this truth.  Read More

Judges 3:31-6:40.  “Waiting for a Sign”          When Gideon received his calling from the Lord, three times he asked for a sign to reassure himself that God was truly with him.  Three times!  Why would Gideon put the Lord to this kind of test?  Does he doubt God and his promises or does he doubt himself?         You know sometimes, I find it very easy to criticize Gideon, but I know that if you a...  Read More

Judges 1:1-3:30.  “The Next Generation”          I (David) do not know a great deal about my ethnic heritage.  In recent years my mother has become involved in much genealogical research which has provided limited knowledge.  Now I know that my heritage is mainly European, but somewhere down the line the distinctiveness of that European heritage was lost.  Now I don’t think this was intentional, i...  Read More